本文從「漸進實現（中國）自由民主」的視野申論指出：正因為自由民主並非一蹴可幾，而有其重要的實現條件；我們既不該無條件支持拒絕和平漸進的威權或後極權體制，也不該輕易接受那種以為「只要推翻一黨專政，自由民主便將水到渠成」的迷思。我們應有必要對政治保守主義（主張維持、保留政治現狀）與政治激進主義（主張以劇烈手段推翻政治現狀）進行雙重反思，以避免採取僵固的保守或激進立場。本文並分析指出：從漸進實現自由民主的角度，民主過渡的動力或主體並非最主要的問題。更關鍵的問題在於：自由民主的實現與穩定條件，如何能在漸進的發展過程中漸漸形成、茁壯、邁向成熟？這在實踐面上意味著：要逼著威權政府逐漸落實基本人權、社會公正與憲政法治，展開漸進的政治改革，逐步釋放有限度但不斷擴大的民主權力以及言論、出版、集會、結社自由；以使多元的、良性的社會整合機制得以漸漸形成，以為自由民主的漸進實現提供更多、更有利的社會及政治條件。

This paper argues, from the perspective of ‘gradual realization of Chinese liberal democracy’, that political liberals should not fix upon either political conservatism or political radicalism. Rather, a ‘double reflection’ on both is called for. Since the current authoritarian or post-totalitarian regime has not adopted a path of development that is favorable to peaceful political transformation, any uncritical or unconditional support of the political status quo would have few affinities with political liberalism. However, to the very extent that conditions for realizing and stabilizing a successful liberal democracy remain deficient, full-blooded democratic transition or revolution is not sensible either. In the last analysis the most pertinent ‘practical question’ today is: how could gradual, progressive reforms—with respect to basic civil rights, rule of law, constitutionalism, social justice, and democratic control from below—come about through the public bringing unceasing pressure to bear on the present regime, so as to effect increasingly better conditions for a potentially well-ordered liberal democracy? Thus conceived, the problematic of ‘gradual realization of Chinese liberal democracy’ suggests that we move beyond the reified stance on either political conservatism or political radicalism.